The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1887-03-17

" 'EtSAt iliiitlLloH COflAuV TOO ntT
born of her anger and loneliness
Throwing aside the book she had beer
pretending to read. she donned CLOAK
and hat. and, Notwithstanding the late.
ness of the hour, hurriedly left the
house.
us Mr.. Vernon out of town that you
AVE condescended to pay me a visits
Surely you d dn't walk and it raining
and almost dark?" and Miss Lay has.
tened to remove M ldred's wet cloak.
why. Milly!' with a glance at the
white. set face, ''have you been crying!
Is ANYTHING wrong?" and her face that,
at sight of Mildred had dimpled all
over with smiles. instantly grew sober.
Mildred sank into. a chair before the
cosy fire while Miss Lay established
herself oil a low stool.
"Have YOU had bad news from
home?" she continued, as Mildred held
her hands in the warmth of the fire
without speaking.
No; it's about John. We uuarreled.
and--and. oh, Lizzie, | am so unhap-
py!' and. laying her head in Miss Laws
lap. Mildred sObbed out the whole mis-
cradle story.
You foolish child!' exclaimed Miss
Lay. al don't wonder that John was
angry!'
80 You think / was wholly to
blame?" said Mildred, with flashing
eyes; land after saying what you did
about marrying a widower, too"
Il understand now; it was my fool
ISL words that caused all the trouble.
My silly tongue Is forever getting me
into 4 scrape," said Miss Lay, in Il tone
Of genuine regret.
1T would have been the same if YOU
hadn't said a word" exclaimed Mil
dred, passionately. Sooner or later |
would have found out what a terrible
mistake | have made!"
''stutf and nonsense!' cried Miss Lay,
with Il sniff, 81 have always thou ght
you Il sensible girl. Mildred, but L con-
fess that you are acting very foolishly
now,"
Il suppose l have no right to COM
plain, as l was not forced into this mar
riage, but L certainly expected some
sympathy from you." said Mildred, in
an injured tone. "As it seems quite
useless to explain matters will not
trouble you further" and she rose as if
to go.
"Sit down, you unreasonable child.
and tell me what you want me to do"
said Miss Lay, drawing her stool near
er the fire. Il am sorry you're so I'M
happy, though | don't see that YOU
have any cause to be so wretched and
heart-broken. You have it in your
power to be the happiest woman in
town." she continued as Mildred, with
4 heavy sigh, resumed her seat.
Certainly Mss Lay was displaying
more forethought and wisdom than one
would have expected from SO shallow |
and frivolous a creature,
what can l do for you Mildred?"
she asked, after Il little silence.
You Can let me stay with You till
morning" said Mildred. with sudden
eagerness. ''I-I-am-going home
Tomorrow" her voice faltcring q little.
81 couldn't bear to stay another night
in that housel'
"Mildred, you are not in ~earncstP"
and Miss Laws blue eyes opened wide
with establishment.
"But | am IN earnest. very much in
earnest" returned Mildred, quickly,
Ter voice grow nc firm again. L see
no reason why | should stay here and
be miserable when they want me so at
home. the boi S especially. Jack writes
that father mopes all day, ami Tom has
broken his arm, and things are getting
topsy turvy, and"
"a pure fabrication of jacks" in
terrnpted Miss Lay, Just written to
fill up space. And YOU want to leave
YOUR beautiful home and Il husband that
worships the very ground that YOU walk
on; don't shake your head in that
way, for it's true tt 90 back
to those horrid troublesome BOYS. Well,
| only W sh Johu Vernon had asked me
to marry him.
Mildred laughed IN spite of herself
at the owl-like gravity OF Miss Lays
look and tone.
That's better, and goes to prove
that You're nOt half as wretched us YOU
Now, Mildred, the right wav '
% manage q man is to make him be- ,
..eve he's the only man in the world {
worth looking at"
us that ALP asked Mildred, dryly.
Yes" {
Then I'm afraid I'll never learn how i
o manage Il man." said Mildred, with i
| little curl of the lip. L
See here, Mildred, You know you're
n the wrong. and it's your business to
let matters right again" said Miss
LAY, beginning to lose patience and to
that she had Il rather difficult +
ask before her. Il know John Vernon f
,etter than y0u do, if he is your hus- +
'and, and l know just how sensitive he ,
and how easily you have made him -
that he is too old and quiet for -
-ou, and that he has tired you with his o.
commonplace ways. l know. :,
that he's just miserable over this 4
ittle-what shall l call it?-miSunder- g
landing" -
'Do you really think he is?" asked E.
Iildred. unbending Il little. n
Il am certain he is. How can he he r.
else? Now, Mildred, go -
.ome, like a good girl and make yonr +
Ueace with him." =,
Mildred burst into tears. and taking ~
Ter silence as 4 good Syn, Miss Lay n
fastened 20 follow up her advantage. I,
III send YOU home in the carriage II
- - = RI l. -